John the Baptist had a mission. He was to proclaim the exciting news of the soon coming arrival of the messiah depicted in the OT scriptures. In addition, his mission included the introduction of the baptism of repentance for remission of sin. (Mark 1:1-4, Luke 3:3, Luke 7:27)
Upon hearing John’s message, “… there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.” (Mark 1:5) Jesus Himself complied with the command and was immersed in the waters of baptism even though He was sinless. Jesus had told John to water baptize Him in order to fulfill all righteousness. (Matt 3:15-17) Those who refused to believe baptism was necessary were accused of rejecting the very counsel of God. (Luke 7:30)
If is important to realize that Jesus was present and did not object to His disciples preaching the need for water baptism and administering it to those wishing to be obedient. (John 3:22, John 4:1-2)
As recorded at the end of each gospel, (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) Jesus makes reference to water baptism:
There is a misconception that the Jewish and Gentile experiences differed in that God filled the Gentiles with His Spirit prior to them being water baptized. (Acts 10:44-48) The truth is both the Jewish and Gentile people received the Holy Ghost prior to taking on the name of the Lord Jesus in their water baptism.
Lastly, it should be noted that the sequence of one’s compliance to the NT instructions is not what matters. All that matters is obedience to the entire message. This is seen in the conversion experience of the Samaritans. (Acts 8:12-17) And, Paul’s exchange with the Ephesus disciples. (Acts 19:2-6)
Upon hearing John’s message, “… there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.” (Mark 1:5) Jesus Himself complied with the command and was immersed in the waters of baptism even though He was sinless. Jesus had told John to water baptize Him in order to fulfill all righteousness. (Matt 3:15-17) Those who refused to believe baptism was necessary were accused of rejecting the very counsel of God. (Luke 7:30)
If is important to realize that Jesus was present and did not object to His disciples preaching the need for water baptism and administering it to those wishing to be obedient. (John 3:22, John 4:1-2)
As recorded at the end of each gospel, (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) Jesus makes reference to water baptism:
- Matthew - Jesus says to baptize in a singular name.
- Mark - Jesus says in order to be saved one must believe and be baptized.
- Luke - Jesus tells His disciples that repentance and remission of sin (a reference to water baptism as established by John the Baptist) would be preached in His name and it will begin in Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47)
- John – Jesus tells Peter to feed His lambs, and feed His sheep. His reference to feeding sheep is made twice. Peter did exactly that. He initially presented the salvation plan to the Jewish (sheep) and Gentile (lambs) nations, and assisted in the Samaritans (half Jew-half Gentile) conversion. (sheep)
There is a misconception that the Jewish and Gentile experiences differed in that God filled the Gentiles with His Spirit prior to them being water baptized. (Acts 10:44-48) The truth is both the Jewish and Gentile people received the Holy Ghost prior to taking on the name of the Lord Jesus in their water baptism.
Lastly, it should be noted that the sequence of one’s compliance to the NT instructions is not what matters. All that matters is obedience to the entire message. This is seen in the conversion experience of the Samaritans. (Acts 8:12-17) And, Paul’s exchange with the Ephesus disciples. (Acts 19:2-6)
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